He was born in Palmer, Texas on June 6, 1931 to Henry Andrew and Sadie Mildred (Jones) Heard.
Lawrence is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Flossie Nell (Hitt) Heard.
At the age of 17 Lawrence quit school and joined the United States Army on July 8, 1948.
While serving in Korea he was captured on July 14, 1950 and spent the next 36 months and 12 days as a prisoner of war. After returning home in 1953, he had several jobs and said he trapped and sold enough mink to buy his first car that he later totaled on Combine Road. Lawrence made a career with DISD and retired as a Maintenance Supervisor.
Lawrence and Flossie enjoyed a host of hobbies together; hunting, fishing, taxidermy, traveling, square dancing with the Pard Twirlers. They also loved attending Blue Grass Festivals. Until it was too difficult to travel they attended annual POW Reunions at various locations across the US where he cherished lifelong friendships with men that made sacrifices we could never understand. Lawrence credits being raised a country boy in the field, working, hunting and fishing the river bottoms as to why he survived his capture.
He is proceeded in death by his parents and seven siblings: Thurman, Roy Lee, Hollis, Floyd, Marvin, Archie and Mildred.
In addition to his wife Flossie, he is survived by many nieces and nephews along with a host of friends and other family members. Lawrence and Flossie did not have children of their own, but they touched the lives of many that grew up in the Seagoville and surrounding areas.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 16, 2019 from 4 – 8 pm at Roselawn Funeral Home, Seagoville, Texas.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at 10am also at Roselawn. Pastor Joseph D. Collier will be officiating the service. Graveside services will follow in the Peace Garden for Military Veterans.
PALLBEARES: Lynn Epperson, Joe Heard, Bobby Kirby, Bucky Nichols, Pedro Rico, David Risinger, Stewart Stephenson
HONORARY PALLBEARER: Coy Mack Kirby
